Watch-case bezel



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W. BURNS, Jr. WATCH GAS BEZEL.

No. 321,886. Patented July 7, 1885.

. I I I e I @WUNESSE .ZJVVEJVTOB 4 .Httorneyw UNITED O STATES PATENTOFFICE.

WILLIAM BURNS, JR, OF COSHOCTON. OHIO.

WATCH-CASE BEZEL.

EPECJLPICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 321,886, dated July'7, 1885.

Application filed January 29, 1855. (Model) To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, WILLIAM BURNS, J11, of Ooshoeton, in the county ofCoshoeton and State of Ohio, have invented a certain new and usefulImprovement in Watch-Case Bezels, of which the following is aspecification.

My invention relates to an improved mode of securing glasses or crystalsto watch case bezels, so as to prevent dust and moisture from enteringopen-faced Watches and watch-movements while in use.

The nature of my invention consists in the peculiar novel constructionof the parts, as will be hereinafter set forth and claimed.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a sectional view of awatch-case bezel with my improvement applied thereto, the follower beingshown in position for insertion. Fig. 2 is a view of the inner side ofthe watch-ease bezel, the parts being fitted in place. Fig. 3 is anenlarged sectional elevation, showing the glassor crystal fitted inplace and the follower screwed down so as to come flush with theshoulder on the inner side of the bezel. Fig. 4 is adetail view of thefollower.

Like letters refer to corresponding parts in the several figures.

Referring to the drawings, A designates the body or main portion of thewatch-case bezel, having an annular shoulder, B, formed on its innerside, which shoulder serves the purpose of a strengthening ring for thebezel. The outer edge of the shoulder is cut perpendicular, and formedwith a series of screw-threads, a. The inner edge of the bezel at theouter end is beveled off, as at I), to a less angle than that describedby'the peripheral edge of the watch glass or crystal 0, for the purposehereinafter more fully explained.

D designates the clamping-ring or follower, made circular in form andhaving its outer peripheral edge out with a series of threads, 0,(preferably three,)which screw into the-threads a provided on theperpendicular outer edge of the strengthening ring or shoulder B. Theinner side or face of this ring or follower D is concaved, as at f, to apoint, i, while the outer edge of this ring is similarly cut orconcaved, but at a greater angle, as at h, beginning at the point wherethe threads 6 terminate, and ending at the point t.

It will be observed that the threaded pe ripheral edge 0 of the ring Dis made straight or per peudicular. to correspond with the outerthreaded edge of the ring or shoulder B.

\Vhen the ring or follower D is screwed down into position. as in Fig.3, the pointt' bears against the inner face of the glass or crystal, andthe cut out or concaved outer portion, 71, forms an inclosed chamber, E,between the glass and the shoulder B, which chamber serves to catch thedust or moisture, and thus prevent the latter from having access to theinterior of the watch.

It will be observed that my improvement can be applied to any ordinarywatch-case, which generally have the strengthening ring or shoulder Bemployed to hold in shape and prevent springing of the bezel seat. Thisshoulder, for the purpose of giving a finish to the dial, is placed atan angle of about fortyfive degrees to bed-line in the usualconstruction of watchcases. I change this shoulder so as to throw itperpendicular to the bed-line and form a wall for the threads. By thismeans I am not put to the necessity of specially constructing the watchcase to apply my improvement, but can fit the latter to old watches, asmay be desired.

The operation of my invention will be readily understood from theforegoing description, taken in connection with the annexed drawlngs.

The glass or crystal is applied from the inside of the watch ease bezel,and has its peripheral edge received by the sharp edge of the beveledinner portion, b, and since the angle at which the portion I) is cut isless than that of the edge of the glass, the latter will not bind whenadjusting it in position, but will be allowed to conform itself to anyirregularities in the edge thereof.

The ring or follower is provided with holes or openings or m to receivethe projecting studs of a spanner or wrench in turning the ring on oroff. WVhen the ring is turned on, the threads a screw into the threads 6of the shoulder or ring B, and since said ring has its point iprojecting forward, this point will come against the inner side or faceof the glass or crystal and press the same outward against the edge ofthe beveled portion I). It

will thus be seen that the glass or crystal is hold while in position bythe pressure of the pointt' against its inner face, in connection withthe beveled portion 1), fitting around the peripheral edge of the glass.Normally, the ring or follower fits flush with the bed-line of theshoulder 13, and thus a neat connection of the parts is made, which willbe proof against accidental displacement.

The chamber I l, formed by the concaved outer portion, 71, of the ringor follower, when the latter is screwed down, provides for theaccumulation of dust or moisture, which, however, cannot pass beyondinto the interior of the watelrcase, as the shoulder B and the ring 1)form an effectual guard.

It will also be seen that by providing a series of threads on the ringor follower, to screw into corresponding threads of the shoulder on thewatch-case bezel, the said ring or follower cannot be placed in positionin any other manner than perfectly horizontal or parallel with the baseof the glass; and thus, when the ring or follower is screwed down, equalpressure is brought upon all points of the glass.

The point t of the ring or follower is sufficiently elastic, so as tohave a spring action when brought to bear upon the glass, and thus it ismade to conform to any irregularities in the construction ofthe glass orcrystal.

Having described my invention, I claim- 1. In a watch-ease bezel, themain portion A, having an annular ring or shoulder, 15, formed with aperpendicular outer face, which is threaded, as shown, and a beveledinner edge, b, at the outer edge of the portion A, in combination withthe glass having its outer edge beveled at a greater angle than the edge6, and the ring or follower D, having its outer edge or peripheryprovided with a series of threads to screw into the threaded wall of theshoulder B, the concaved or beveled inner face, f, of the ring, and theconcaved outer edge or face, It, meeting the inner face at the point i,for the purpose set forth.

2. In a watch-case bezel, the main portion A and the threaded ring orshoulder 13, in combination with the clamping ring or follower D,provided with a threaded periphery to screw into the shoulder andbeveled or coneaved toa pointed edge forward of the threads, wherebysaid edge will bear against the inner face of the glass and form achamber for the accumulation of foreign matter between the shoulder andthe glass, as set forth.

WM. BUR NS, Jn.

\Vitnesses:

L. L. CANTWELL, SAMUEL GAMBLE.

